Episcopal Migration Ministries and Office of Government Relations invite audience questions after panel

As the world faces some of the highest levels of displaced people in modern history, Episcopal Migration Ministries and The Episcopal Church’s Office of Government Relations will host a webinar seeking to better understand the current state of refugees and refugee policy.

Reflecting on the Geneva Convention: The State of Global Refugee Trends and Refugee Policy Today will be held 4 to 5 p.m. ET on Thursday, May 20. The webinar will have a moderated panel discussion followed by a question-and-answer session with the audience.

In addition to the church’s migration ministry and policy staff, the event will feature the following experts:

• David FitzGerald, professor, Gildred Chair in U.S.-Mexican Relations, and co-director, Center for Comparative Immigration Studies, University of California, San Diego
• Susan Fratzke, senior policy analyst, Migration Policy Institute
• Jana Mason, senior external relations advisor, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

The webinar is planned as the 70th anniversary of the 1951 Geneva Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and the 60th anniversary of the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness draw near, highlighting the high numbers of people displaced from their homes internationally.

From Venezuela to South Sudan to Syria, the emergence of major refugee crises over the past 10 years has led to 100 million people fleeing their countries, with more than 79.5 million individuals displaced in 2019. Although the United Nations negotiated the 2018 Compact on Migration to address these challenges, countries have adopted differing responses to increased refugee flows, with some offering refuge while others have limited refugee resettlements.

The COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced these trends as countries shut travel in order to limit the virus’ spread, leaving more vulnerable populations without access to safety.

All are welcome to join the free webinar. Register here for the event.

About Episcopal Migration Ministries

Episcopal Migration Ministries is a ministry of The Episcopal Church and is one of nine national agencies responsible for resettling refugees in the United States in partnership with the government. Episcopal Migration Ministries has 12 affiliate offices in 10 states. In addition to its long-standing work in refugee resettlement ministry, Episcopal Migration Ministries is The Episcopal Church’s convening place for collaboration, education, and information-sharing on migration. To directly support EMM and its life-changing work, visit www.episcopalmigrationministries.org/give or text ‘EMM’ to 41444 (standard messaging and data may rates apply).

About the Office of Government Relations

The Office of Government Relations (OGR) represents the policy priorities of The Episcopal Church to the U.S. government in Washington, D.C. OGR aims to shape and influence policy and legislation on critical issues, highlighting the voices and experiences of Episcopalians and Anglicans globally. All policy positions are based on General Convention and Executive Council resolutions, the legislative and governing bodies of the church.

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The Episcopal Church welcomes all as it seeks to follow Jesus Christ into loving, liberating, and life-giving relationship with God, each other, and the earth. Embracing a legacy of inclusion, The Episcopal Church encourages the expression of leadership gifts by all peoples of the church. As a member of the worldwide Anglican Communion, the third largest group of Christians in the world, The Episcopal Church includes 109 dioceses in 16 nations, with about 1.8 million members. Learn more at episcopalchurch.org.